Preparing your bottles is not on the list of fun tasks for the wine and beer maker. You do it because you must, but it’s not exactly as gratifying as punching down your must cap or watching your wort boil. Not only is it not a day at the beach, it can be time consuming and tedious. If you reuse your bottles like most, there are a few methods and tools that can really change your wine and beer making life for the better.

A sink mounted spring-loaded bottle washer is inexpensive and worth its weight in gold. It is designed to be mounted directly to the sink and has a spring-loaded nozzle that can be used to quickly and easily clean bottles. It is effective and efficient and will save you a considerable amount of scrubbing with bottle brushes.

The nozzle is designed to create a powerful spray of water that is strong enough to dislodge most dirt, debris, and sediment that may have accumulated inside. Additionally, the spring on the nozzle is touch sensitive allowing you to adjust the pressure of the spray. The convenience of a sink mounted spring-loaded bottle washer is unmatched. Its unique design reduces the amount of water and soap needed for each wash, making it also an eco-friendly option.

This is not to say it will eliminate the need to scrub entirely. There is always the ongoing battle of bottle staining and films. However, the spring-loaded bottle washer will greatly diminish the amount of time and work required to prepare your bottles. They are also very effective with carboys and demijohns especially if you rinse them well before and after you use them. Hot water is also helpful. As long as you have decent water pressure, the water stream will have no problem reaching the back of your vessel.

If you do have heavy stains the bottle washer cannot tackle, citric acid powder is another great tool to break down pigments and tannins. Mix one tablespoon of citric acid to a gallon of water, fill your bottles and let them soak for 30-60 minutes. This should dissolve all or most of any lodged sediment. For stubborn stains, you still have the option of Easy Clean or One Step. However, the citric acid will do a considerable amount of the work. Your solution will have a pH of 2 which is considerably more acidic than white vinegar.

When it comes time to sanitize your bottles, growlers and jugs, wine and beer makers have slightly different paths. Beer makers should not use sulfites to sanitize bottles. Beer yeasts are not as resistant to them leaving Star San as the right option. Mix a solution in a large tub and soak your bottles for two minutes. 

Wine makers also have this option however, they have another that is a bit easier. The Italian Vinator Bottle Rinser is another inexpensive go-to item. It sits right on a bottle tree or on a tabletop and has a spring-loaded sprayer. It can only be used with sulfites but with a strong enough solution of 3 TBS per gallon, sanitation is instantaneous. Press your bottle on the spout a few times and you are good to go. It only needs to coat the interior of the bottle. 

For any home beer or winemaking enthusiast, a sink mounted spring-loaded bottle washer, citric acid and a Bottle Rinser are invaluable tools that will save you money and time. You can always use more money and nothing is more valuable than your time. This not only just about the job of cleaning and sanitizing your bottles either. It is also protecting your wine and beer from bacteria. If you can make the job shorter and easier while ensuring your bottles are clean and bacteria free, all the better. Good luck! 

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